American Morning
Republican pollster: Americans angrier than ever
From town halls to tea parties, a lot of people across the country are really ticked off. Last week in our special series "Mad as Hell," we looked at the sources and potential solutions for all of that national anger.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/28/luntz.frank.cnn.art.jpg caption="Pollster and Republican Party adviser Frank Luntz says Americans are angrier than ever."]
Frank Luntz is a pollster, communications expert, author of the new book "What Americans Really Want, Really" and has advised the Republican Party on hot-button issues like health care.
Luntz joined John Roberts on CNN’s “American Morning” Monday. Below is an edited transcript of the interview.
John Roberts: So people in America, are they really angrier than they’ve ever been?
Frank Luntz: They are. 72% of Americans define themselves - we took a survey of 6,400 people, that's five times the typical CNN media poll – 72% of Americans are mad as hell and they're not going to take it anymore. And they're mad at politics because they think there's no accountability in Washington.
They're mad at business because they think that their employers don't respect them. And they're mad at Hollywood for the coarseness of the culture. So you've got all three things going on at the same time and they don't find a solution to it.
Roberts: Let me quote from your book here because you say what's so important is not necessarily that Americans are mad as hell. You say, “It matters more that they're not going to take it anymore. Americans have hit a tipping point with Washington and, moreover, its political parties.” So we're at this tipping point. What does that mean for the country? You gave us the background of what people are mad at but why are they mad at all of this and what is this tipping point?
Luntz: They feel like the politicians aren't listening to them. And those elected officials who canceled their town hall meetings, boy, did they make a mistake. I wrote this book and I added that extra "really" to “What Americans Really Want” because the definitions of this anger the elites don't understand. They think the town halls are an aberration.
The people you should be listening to at the town halls are not those who are yelling in the front, it's those that are grumbling in the back. Because there are tens or hundreds of thousands of people that have come to these town hall meetings that have never participated in politics before. They're going to vote in 2010. I've offered a lexicon for them to be more effective in this book because in the end, the shouting really doesn't move people. They need to know how to communicate more effectively.
And it's not just politics. It's also in the workplace. There are the three rules of how not to get fired. Three things you should not be saying. And I'll make them read the book. There's even fear for our kids. I’ll give you two more statistics. 57% of Americans believe that this country will be worse for their children than it was for them. And only 33% believe that the next generation will have it better than them.
Roberts: A question that I have about all of this anger is how much of it is organic and how much of it is ginned up by the opposition to try to give Democrats a hard time? President Clinton was on NBC’s "Meet the Press" yesterday and he said the vast right-wing conspiracy in America is still very much alive, maybe not as strong as during his time in office, but still extremely virulent.
Clinton: 'Vast right-wing conspiracy' virulent
Luntz: See, he doesn't get it because these are not Republicans who are going to these town halls. These are not Republicans that are angry. More often they're independents that reject both the Republicans and the Democrats. They're dead-center politically and they've had enough of both political parties. That would be point one. And point two is, until they feel like someone's listening to them and someone cares about them, they're going to remain agitated. And I do believe they'll participate. But just to be angry doesn't solve anything. We're afraid for our children. We're afraid that they're going to get addicted to drugs. We're afraid that they're going to drink. We're afraid that they'll have bad circumstances in their life. And that's what makes us so nervous about the future.
Roberts: You mentioned the town hall meetings during August on the health care debate. That's where we saw the anger in full foment. You wrote a memo to the Republican Party, giving them suggestions on how to oppose the health care plan. You suggested that they use phrases like "it's a bailout of the insurance industry," "Washington takeover of the system." All of these words were out there. My question to you, Frank, is did you help contribute to this anger?
Luntz: But what is the first page of the memo? That you must support health care reform. This is exactly what the American people would say. We need to cover those people who aren't covered.
Roberts: But when you use charged language like that, are you not contributing to the anger?
Luntz: Because what Americans are asking for is a slow and steady reform of the health care system, not something radical. And the politicians in Washington aren't listening. We believe that our health care system is the best in the globe. And we don't want to change that. And there's language in here – and by the way, you want to know what Americans really want?
Roberts: Some people would argue that the delivery of health care in this country is the best in the world but the way you get to it, through insurance, certainly is not a model for anybody.
Luntz: 85% of Americans are satisfied with their health care. I think that says a lot.
Roberts: But there are a lot of uninsured people in this country.
Luntz: That’s why I wrote this book. I wanted to correct the misinterpretations. If you want to know if you're in the majority or minority, if you want to know what the public really thinks, this [book] is the place to go.
Roberts: The book is called "What Americans Really Want, Really" from Frank Luntz. Good to have an opportunity to have you on this morning. We've known each other for a long time.
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Just another GOP tactic to try and be seen as "one of us". GW and his rich pals basically wiped their ass with the American public and now that they have lost the majority, they will say / do ANYthing to get more power.
Yup, pure unbiased opinions from the center, by a Republican talking head. Sure makes me feel like I can trust what he says, since there is no way for him to bias the results in his book by cherry picking results.
I am not that hot for a "public option" but the rabbit opposition to it makes me think more and more that it might be just the thing we need. If there is THAT much opposition to it then it is going to cost some corporation a LOT of money.
Call me cynical, but if this public option was really going to radically change things for the average Joe, then I doubt there would be as much coverage of the anger people have. It is only when corporations are in danger of losing profits that the media become saturated with negative coverage of a change.
How about affordable health care for everyone! From my view Luntz has been a troublemaker. This guy is just trying to sell his book to make a buck. I too wonder who is backing him? If the current health care system satisfies 85% of Americans – why then is the Insurance Industry spending so much money trying to crush the public option? I'd hate to think Americans would rather pay CEOs lots of money than trying to help reform the system so uninsured American citizens can buy affordable satisfactory health care insurance.
Just another lying republican. he just wants to sell his book of lies.
Perhaps a better word than "angry" is "fed up". I look to making something better happen in Washington, than what we have now. Pure and simple.
I also want to explore ways to make it possible for ordinary people to seek office, and find a solution for the wealthy and powerful having all the control in this country.
Lastly, I want to some genuine Justice in the Justice department, and curtailment of the rampant crime in this country.
We need every citizen to become critical of the status quo, and the continuation of the power mongers in charge.
I can sum a lot of this up in one word. Waaahhhhh!!!!! Just a bunch of crybabies. The tea party crybabies, the birthers, the public option only people, the rampaging liberal and conservative people, etc., etc. You will notice a trend in all of their statements:
IT'S ALWAYS SOMEONE ELSE'S FAULT. SOMEONE ELSE IS DOING THIS TO ME AND THE COUNTRY! I'M RIGHT AND YOU ARE WRONG! (capital letters intentional to make a point)
All these people need to look at their own lives and see if they are perfect in every single way. I bet they would come up seriously lacking in that area. They all subscribe to the NIMBY theory of governing and living (Not In My Back Yard). No responsiblity for what I do, just blame someone else.
Lesson to everyone in this debate: Grow up. These problems didn't develop overnight and will not take overnight to fix. They just won't go away anytime soon. Rosy Scenario ain't coming back anytime soon so stop screaming for her to return. At least this time someone is trying to fix the problem instead of putting their head in the sand.
We are mad as hell. Obama has done more damage in 9 months than any of us ever imagined. Shame on us for voting for him.
To the Obama supporters,
were you protesting during the 8 years of Bush? asking the question "well where were you during Bush if you protest now" is just a BS question with no ground. It's the 51% majority complaining about the 49% minority.
To the protestors,
do you know who Ron Paul is and his movement? There is a reason the RP supporters started the tea parties, and it's not what many have made it out to be. In fact, the RP supporters and Ron Paul himself thinks that what you are saying is NUTS.
MY ADVICE: Get two views on the subject: Read Ron Paul's two books (The Revolution and End the Fed) and watch Michael Moore's latest movie. I think those two things will give you a MUCH better idea about what's going on today.
I agree with Mr. Jose Paulo Castro... Very well said. I live in the midwest, companies here are still not hiring. Budgets are set for next year – smaller that is... I don't really see an improvement in the job market for another 18 months.
i've never heard anyone in my life say they're mad as hell at hollywood. and if they did, i'd think they're completely nuts.
Partisan nonsense masquerading as journalism. Gee... a Republican advisor dislikes Democratic initiatives? The people voted in 2006 and 2008 and it was emphatically for the Democrats. Get over it already. You lost!
I am mad that this country has been dug into a deep hole and now that we have an intelligent, proactive President, his hands are being tied by the very people who have put us there.
The only ones that are angry are the ultra conservatives and they no longer count. Remember when they told liberals they weren't Americans and to leave the country if they didn't like conservative rule? Welcome to the other side of the coin.
Of course Americans are angry-the right wing talking heads do nothing to offer constructive criticism. Their sole purpose seems to be to foment anger. If Americans are angry due to some analysis they have done for themselves then they need to express their concerns and reasons for them to their elected officials. If they are not willing to do a bit of research for themselves and only repeat what they hear by extremists on either side, they should be ashamed of themselves and do the rest of us a favor and just shut up.
I guess I'm one of those 85% who is happy with his health care plan. I have had no problems with it (Blue Cross), and my wife and I have had numerous medical problems in the last few years. All of them were handled splendidly.
However thrilled I am, though, I do recognize that a lot of people don't have a health care plan like mine, and they deserve one.
I'm very happy with my health care plan, but I'm not so selfish as to believe that just because its good for me it shouldn't be improved for everyone else. The world doesn't revolve around me.
How about we stop burning money away like it's our job. I'm tired of hearing about how we want to spend billions & trillions on healthcare when we just spent all of this money on the bailout. Here's an idea, let the economy recover, people get jobs, get money. THEN worry about healthcare. People need to take a lesson in economics, who is supposed to pay for this supposed reform? Taxpayers? Last time I checked, the number of those is decreasing as people are losing their jobs. Just a thought...things don't HAVE to change overnight. One problem at a time people...
The Repugnants are just finding out that everybody is angry. I've been angry since W stole the 2000 election, let terrorists hit the World Trade Center, started 2 disastrous wars, illegally wiretapped Americans, threw people in jail without charges, outed Valerie Plame, tortured, killed, and rendered prisoners, destroyed the economy, soaked the middle class and gave it all to the rich, and shredded the Constitution. I'm still mad that Nancy Pelosi let Bush get off Scot free, that Obama bailed out banks, insurance companies, and car companies, that we STILL have 2 murderous wars going, that corporate money is STILL corrupting politics, and for about a million other reasons.
Mr. Repugnant pollster, you have been asleep.
Yup. I'm angry! – at he stupid fools yelling at town hall meetings, at the idiot tea-baggers whio don't even know what they are angry about, at the right wing talk radio racists and the GOP who parrot their hate speech. I WAS angry for 8 years of Bush's crap.
All this guy is doing is trying to sell his book. Where does anyone get the idea that we have the "Best health care anywhere and we don't want to change it"? We who are on Medicare are well taken care of but that is only a portion of those covered. There are millions of people who have no coverage at all. I wouldn't believe a poll, even if I, my family and friends had all been polled, which they never have been..Has anyone ever asked you your opinion on anything?
I have not seen a single statistic to counter that 85% of Americans are perfectly happy with their insurance. In fact, I have not met one person personally that is disenfranchised with their insurance. We all want health care reform, but only a small percentage of us want a government run option (see slow Death of Private Insurance). Regarding the people without insurance, it is many of their own choices to not carry health insurance and still others spend more on junk (spinners, hair, cell phones, home permanently cooled to 68 degrees) than on healthcare. This is their decision and they must live with it. In the end, none of this actually makes health care cheaper, it only drives down the cost of insurance. Take an economy class to see what this means. We need tort reform and the knowledge that our insurance company will not drop coverage because of a misspelled word.
These same people WERE angry at GW Bush, thank you very much, because they knew he too betrayed them. You may recall they were among those unhappy with his proposals for Social Security reform, which also never went anywhere. They just weren't as fired up because they were not looking at their health care, which by a very large majority most people DO have and ARE happy with, being subjected to a wholesale, radical makeover to cover the small minority of people who do not have it, and to advance what they see as a socialist agenda to expand the entitlement mentality this country suffers from. And the Dems marginalizing these folks by calling them crazy racist rednecks is going to backfire on them in the polls, because if they were not going to vote before, you can bet they will now.
the GOP stands for what ? greed opportunistic party ...aka the corperation party bush and his sidekick chenny and the neo right wing GOP are responsible for this depression there lords and masters are the corperations ,,, Health care what a joke i would think THAT 85% are those who disaaprove of the current health care lack of a system
The healthcare issue could be solved by taking the greedy insurance companies out of the mix...every American needs healthcare NOT health insurance!...1 out of every 3 dollars paid into health insurance premiums is profit for the insurance companies...and who do you think supports insurance companies in a big way?...Yes, you are right...the REPUBLICANS!...Medicare works on about a 3% overhead, compare that to the current health insurance industry...the idea that government run health care is ineffectual is nonsense!...when my 96 year old father who is on Medicare sees his doctor, he shares the waiting room with those that have private health insurance, who pay ever increasing premiums, waiting to see the same doctor....hmmm? makes you wonder!
People were so much wiser 200 years ago:
“If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issuance of their currency, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all their property until their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered… I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies." Thomas Jefferson.
Why blame all this on Obama..he inherited it from that Texas fella that screwed it all up to begin with,,,
Its not rocket science. When you realize that one's only viable opposition to the current administration's policies is the Republicans, its no wonder people are mad as hell. Its like being against child abuse but finding out the only way to voice that opinion is to have John Wayne Gacy be your spokesman.
I'm a republican, and I think that both Bush and Obama failed, but given the choice of Kerry or Gore, Bush did more concerning Sept. 11 and hands down was a better choice then the others.
For those of you who think the Health Care overhaul will fix things, you are sorely mistaken. I work in a government ran health system. Not only that, but because I'm a vet, I also go to the V.A. I can't criticize the hospital, but I can bicker about what kind of treatment you get.
If you want to spend the course of 6 months to a year for something that should be done right there and then, be my guest and ask for this, but those people without insurance are usually, let me say that again, usually, lazy, unemployed, or a combination of the both. When there is a will for employment, there is a way. Obama and Bush aren't the reason why this has happened, it's because people don't have accountability for their own actions, starting with me and you. Until people figure that out, it's going to remain a he said, she said scenario.
If you don't like the answer that you're reading, get over yourself and whine to someone who cares. Obviously our "President" doesn't. Oh, let me dumb that down for people as well. The President works for us!
Americans are mad as hell...NOW.
"We" have allowed all of these things to take place, money to control and drive everything and as long as "we" were not inconvenienced and able to survive the economy "we" did nothing to call for accountability. NOW, "we" are mad as hell because the consequences are such that "we" suffer the repercussions of doing nothing and allowing the greed to take root and have it all. I guess "we" should do a better job of requiring accountability at all levels. "We" seem to forget "we" are the majority and only by our inaction do the politicians and Wall Street greed mongers get to continue doing what they do...at our expense with no regard for you or me and laughing all the way to the bank.... My 2 cents....
Not.
People are not nearly as mad as when they saw GWB building up a fake case for war.
And when they saw morons buying the fake case.
And then when they saw people dying and we weren't allowed to see the caskets coming home.
And when we saw generals getting fired when they tried to talk the truth about the war.
Anybody who gets madder about a few tax dollars than about the above–that's your un-American.
So, the Republicans are mad as hell. Where was their anger when GWB and Dick Cheney set out to destroy America?
What new is Americans are speaking up and they have had it... We need to bring our troops home world wide... screw them all let them pay for their own defense....
End this free trade grap once and for all - If its not made, raised or grown here don't buy it.
Here is an old law from Wisconsin that needs bringing back by ecery state:
No corporation doing business in this state shall pay or contribute, or offer consent or agree to pay or contribute, directly or indirectly, any money, property, free service of its officers or employees or thing of value to any political party, organization, committee or individual for any political purpose whatsoever, or for the purpose of influencing legislation of any kind, or to promote or defeat the candidacy of any person for nomination, appointment or election to any political office.
Penalty: any officer, employee, agent or attorney or other representative of any corporation, acting for and in behalf of such corporation who shall violate this act shall be punished upon conviction by a fine of not less than 100 nor more than 5,000 dollars and by imprisonment in the state prison for a period of not less than one nor more than five years.
This is typical Right Wing mis-direction. We want reform but we don't want to change anything because the GOP and now a lot of Dems are being bought by the most profitable companies in the country; the health insurance industry. Where do those profits come from; the American tax payer.
Why do we need a middle man taking 1 out of every 3 dollars paid for health care? Doctors now hate it, small businesses hate it and every American should be appauled. The American public cannot be so stupid as to believe the Health Insurance funded politicians that are saying go slow on reform so we don't put the insurance companies out of business.
How do very profitable insurance companies that are in every other industrialized nation make it? By providing supplemental insurance for the people who can afford it so they don't have to wait in a line or have a shared hospital room.
Americans had "SUCKER" tattooed on there foreheads for 6 years of the Bush Administration. The tattoos are back with this issue as well if we cave to the misinformation, hate and fear coming from the bought politicians and the heath insurance companies who buy them.
I blame Republicans for all of these troubles we are in. Yes, I am angry.
all the blowhards in this chatroom ain't gonna finish this nonsense with anythin....the USA is soon going to be a thing of the past...and it will be as soon forgotten!
Americans were mad before president Obama took office. WE are still mad because of what president Bush did to this great country. The republicans ruined and tarnished our great nation. President Obama is now trying to get things back in order, of course the GOP is mad.
You lie Frank Luntz. You meant to say Republicans, not Americans. Nothing good ever comes from these GOP noise makers.
Wow, what an authority. This is the same guy who staged bogus focus groups during the presidential debates that all told us McCain won.
And this is the guy who told Matt Lauer that he had interviewed 1,000,000 (one million) people. Why doesn't Matt or anyone else in the MSM hold this guy accountable, and ask follow-up questions that would point out his lies? For example, ask him how long he interviewed each of his million people?
If each interview lasted only a minute (which wouldn't even be an interview, would it?), one million minutes amounts to 16,666 hours, and at 8 work hours per day, would have taken him 2083 workdays, or 416 5-day work weeks, or 8 years to accomplish. Why is he not called on such an outrageous lie?
Why do Republicans hate America?
I have yet to see a break down of the demographics(age,gender; Etc &corresponding numbers for each group...Could it be that MOST the uninsured don't really care or feel the need for having to pay for health care......certianly not to extent that we need government running the show......anybody?
Actually, the Confederate "Less government, more corruption" States are angry. 7 out of the original 11 rank among the poorest in the nation. The rest of us are angry at the Republican secessionists. As far as i am concerned, let them split, and be dependent on handoujts from the Feds, as they are now, forever. But NO representation for Republican Confederates!
Luntz is hardly an authoritative pollster. He is a GOP consultant and has been accused of manufacturing poll data.
Not all advocates of all sides are equal. This one is far less equal than most.
I wouldn't call it anger--try disgusted, fed-up with, and ready for honest to goodness change!!! Bush didn't do us any favors in the economic area; but he certainly kept us safe (look what is already happening with terrorists in our cities being caught-thank heaven Obama hasn't completely taken over our police and FBI–opps!! make that a big YET! We have allowed socialist ideas to go way toooooo far and I believe it is independents, conservative Republicans, and Democrats with common sense who are still proud to be AMericanS; self-reliant, hard-working, god-fearing, people.....the anger (disgust) is much more than just Republican...it is We The People....
He's just anopther greddy bastard only interested in selling his book and playing on, and embelishing the fear being spread by republican racists..
People ARE angry, but not for the reasons listed. They are angry that our national deficit is out of control due to the republican spending on the needless wars. They are angry that wall street was allowed to screw the american people without any recourse, they are angry that the middle class has all by disappeared. They are angry because big business ( our employers ) have free reign to cut our benifits, lower our health care benifits, and outsource our jobs without any recourse.
I find it offensive that the conservatives can only motivate their base, particularly the religious right, with fear. The way their politicians fabricate imaginary enemies and hypothetical worst-case scenarios only caters to the basest of human emotions. They deal in fear and anger and hate as a front for their own selfish agendas and greed... and the end result is nothing more than debased modern tribalism.
Dr. James Cook
Kaysville, Utah
It is never mentioned that, among Frank's many impressive credentials, he has been formally found to be in violation of the Ethics Code of the American Associationf or Public Opinion Research (see: http://www.aapor.org/AAPOR_Finds_Frank_Luntz_in_Violation_of_Ethics_Code.htm). This is never acknowledged by any of the networks that allow him to represent himself as a professional expert on the topic of public opinion and polling.
what is this idiot talking about? If there were that many independants angry at politicians there would have been an independant winning the presidentcy. And there is no way 85% of people are happy with their health care. I have good health care and I'm not happy. I want better and cheapper! Luntz, you and the teabaggers need to sit down and shut up. your supported by the republican GOstoPo and we know it. Mad, ohyeah we're mad, yeah we're sick of politics as usual from you conservenots. in 2010 the GOstoPo will lose more seats in our government and by 2012 they'll be no more and the American people will celebrate, Ding Dong the Whitch is DEAD.
tell me the name of your drug dealer and where i can find him or her because thats some good stuff you smoking.
Southern republicans will be the death of this great nation. They truley are the worlds next nazi germany. They can take a small fact and twist it into the biggest pile. This has been going on since before the civil war when as southern conservative democrats they decided to leave the union because they lost an election. In the end we will have to whoop thier butt again.
I fully agree with the commentary. I am one of those that are "angry". I am an independent – not registered with either party because I am disgusted with both.
I have no problem with health care reform. So long as I can see some reasonable proof that it will work. Let's face it – the Congressional record in these areas is REALLY, REALLY bad.
Example: If they can really make this "pay for itself", why hasn't this been attempted/proven with Medicare/Medicaid? If Congress can really be trusted to be frugal with our money, why have they raided Social Security and identified no method to replace the funds – with the same question applying to Medicare.
Yes, I'm mad – REALLY REALLY mad. But, I'm sitting in the back grumbling and biding my time – and it WILL come.
The irony is that it's the Republicans that are creating the current "anger" in society with their Tea Parties (hate rallies) and non-stop anti-Obama smear campaign. I'm not angry at all. Every day that I wake up and turn on television I'm so happy to be reminded that the Republicans are no longer in power due to 8 years of horrible decisions from the previous administration. If the Republicans are "angry" they should direct it towards Bush.
Frank Putz is a Fox News/GOP hack who graduated from the Goebbels School of Journalism. His laid back "You can trust me" demeanor makes him the scariest of the bunch.
A book about statistical numbers written by an adviser to the Republican party is not and can never portray an impartial account of today's American reality. Unfortunately Mr., Luntz neglected to interview the other half. He states 85% of Americans are satisfied with their health care. That's 85% of INSURED Americans. The uninsured others who fall through the gap of this statistical misrepresentation are the ones who should be really angry. Spreading irrational fears about unknown things, in order to create opposition as a matter of partisan principle is not only anti-American but it borders on domestic terrorism. The GOP will never know what Americans really want. They are so far removed from street level realty as the sun is from the earth.
Why is CNN giving this obviously-lying demagogue a forum for his untruths?
THANK YOU ED L ....nice and simple and SPOT ON!
People, who think than our health care system is the best in the world, usually never leave the country and simply don’t know what people can get in other countries. Yes, we have a really good service... but only for those who can afford it. 15 years when I came to this country I could not believe that not all people have access to the health care. It’s a shame for the country who tries to resolve problems for people around the world, even often they not ask about, but not care about their own people here. Speaking about angry people, I really got angry when in a doctor office waiting for my daughter to come out and I read a flier asking to donate money for the family with a girl who got cancer and the family facing foreclosure because of all medical bills. This is when I was angry. How possible it can happen in the richest country of the world?! To those who really angry on Tea party, you have your health care system you so satisfy with, while you have your job, if tomorrow you will lose it, all your “great system” will disappear for you. Don’t forget about. You are just fighting for someone else’s huge profits made on sick peoples they don’t want to give up.
I guess we ARE angrier than ever...one extreme side is angry because they're so gullible to believe everything the Limbaugh and Hannity complex says, the other far side is angry because their champion president isn't quite the revolutionary they wanted him to be, and the moderate majority is pissed off because these two sides are too stupid and self-serving to allow meaningful reform to come about.
Bush ruined my life. Bush ruined America. Obama is great. Eveyone is happy. Everything is fine. Obama good bush bad. Bush ate my homework.
Washington just gets worse every year. Doesn't matter which party is in power. Now the Dems are trying to shove this BS Healthcare bill down our throats. Don't think the American people are going to swallow it. Yes, change is needed in the healthcare system, but not a bloated all encompassing bill loaded with crap which is what they are trying to do. A revamp is required of the political system. I have a few ideas to fix Washington and bring accountability to it.
1) Mandatory testing for Reps and Senators for all bills coming up for a vote. Failure to achieve a passing grade excludes them from the right to vote on the bill. Test scores to be made public.
2) 3 consecutive failing grades leads to suspension from office with loss of pay and privillages. In real world wouldn't you be fired for incompetance.
3) Limit the size of all bills to be voted on. That way no one can use the excuse that bill was to big to read all the way through.
4) Wording in bills should be made easy to understand.
After eight years of uncontrolled spending, the patriot act, the Iraq war, and on and on... why does anyone listen to these jerks? Yes I'm mad as hell, and I'm tired of these hateful, fear mongering, right wing pundits who get on national TV and act like the are speaking for me.
I am not angry, I am however very fearful of the Republican lies and naked power grabs. This reminds me of what I learned about the end of the Roman Republic when powerful men (parties) made power grabs by hook or by crook. This led to dictatorship, see Caesar.
Obama seems to care a bit about the country and I am thankful for that. However, there are many on the right who are out to destroy him and that will drag us all down a road that many other nations have followed to their own destruction.
Unless the US has a different system that allows more parties a voice and a way to flourish, we shall all be held captives to the "anger."
Of course they are madder, and the GOP is doing the cheerleading! I'm a political moderate and am as mad as hell at the GOP for causing such a divisive rift in this country. You managed to get selected one of the most incompetitant presidents ever to hold office and keep him there by a campaign of fear and rabblerousing, but when you lost not only the majority in the House, then the White House, House, AND Senate, you decided you would rather see President Obama and the government of this country fail than actually work to protect and help this nation.
I've heard a lot of GOP promises made; where is the alternative budget? Where is a decent alternative to the Healthcare plan that doesn't just reward the healthcare companies but actually helps Americans? Where is the alternative to the Stimulus package? Lots of complaints, lots of bellyaching, lots of "NOs" and little "knowing", and not a single realistic, productive thing accomplished.
Jose, you are being very small minded... Getting an olympic bid is all about JOBS! How many will be employed if we get the Olympics here? Your whole post i sprefaced on an idiotic statement.
I'm a 64 year old widow, I work full-time as a secretary. Approximately 52% of my income goes to some type taxes: state and federal income, social security and medicare, car and property taxes, sales tax, 50.6 cents for every gallon of gas I purchase in WV (18 cents of which goes to federal) a myriad of taxes and surcharges on utility bills i.e. an increase to 3.35 monthly for 911 telephone tax, and even tax on my car insurance. I've tried, without success, to meet or receive a written or email explanantion for some of these taxes from those responsible for these taxes; can't even get the names of those responsible for property tax rates. Since the 48% I have left is not enough for the mortgage, utilties, car expense, groceries, medicine etc. I have to depend on a credit card to meet my expenses, so I pay the minimum or more each month and accumulate interest. If my tax rate was lower I would not have to be credit card dependent. I've decided to no longer support a party or vote for any incumbent, local, state or national, until my total tax bill is 25% or below, and will work for the election of those running against incumbents. Shirley Watkins
Yep, I'm mad too. But mostly because of the last eight years of lies and deciet. Only now the conservatives are blaming the mess we're in on Obama. How convenient for them that we now have a democrat in office to take the fall. Most of my voting over the last 30 years has swung decidedly republican/conservative, but anymore I'm embarassed to admit that. The republican party has turned into a bunch of pantywaist crybabies who have no good ideas, but love to point fingers and direct blame. It's just that the blame should be pointed inward for ignoring the mess that last administration left for Obama to deal with. My, my, what short memories we have. I liken the current political situation to an old Halloween prank: Remember the old prank that involves filling a paper bag with cow dung, setting the bag on your victim's doorstep, then setting the bag ablaze, ringing their door bell, then running for cover – waiting in the shadows to watch as some poor soul comes out in a panic and stamps out the blaze. Only to realize of course that in the process of putting out the fire they now have a shoe full of stinking cow poop. Well, that's pretty much what the conservatives are currently doing. George Bush and Dick Cheney left the American people a blazing bag of cow poop on the steps of the White House – eight years worth of it. Now the conservatives are screaming and crying about the stink. And it's not like Obama wasn't clear about his agenda when he was running for office. Americans voted for change last November, and change is what we got. So why don't we all just shut up now and let Obama do his job.......
Luntz's smirk on his face and the fact that this was a Republic poll shows that it is not worthy of any serious consideration.
This is the funniest thing I have read in a long time. For a moment I had to check my calender to make sure it's not April 1st.
Let's do a "scientific poll" over here.....
I am NOT MAD as hell
and
I am NOT HAPPY with my health insurance as it is
You bet I'm angry ! Sure, I'm not entrhalled with my healt insurance, but I'm not unhappy with it either. When elected officials like Chuck Schumer (who make much more money than me, and have platinum health care insurance paid for by me. the taxpayer), deem it appropriate to force a public option down my throat via reconciliation, yeah, I get angry. We all know that whatever the projected cost is, it will truly be ten times as much, if not more as the government cannot run anything efficiently. The stimulus bill hasn't benefitted me one iota, and neither will this healthcare boondoogle. It will just bankrupt me and my children. Luntz is right, I am angry and the arrogant politicians who disregard what their constituents want will pay the price in the 2010 elections and beyond.